OVERVIEW

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) is a three-quarter scholarship program that supports students who are conducting a life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty during the 2025-2026 academic year.

The URSP is open to undergraduates who will have junior or senior class standing in Fall 2025. Juniors are eligible to receive scholarships up to $4,500, and seniors are eligible to receive scholarships up to $6,000. Applications are accepted in Spring 2025.

This program does not place students into labs or research opportunities. Students must already be working in a UCLA faculty’s lab at the time of application.

Students conducting research projects in the humanities, arts, or social sciences should apply to the URSP administered by the Undergraduate Research Center – Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

ELIGIBILITY FOR 2025-2026

  • 3.25 GPA minimum
  • Must have a current life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty
  • Junior or Senior class standing at the start of Fall 2025
  • Expected graduation date of Spring 2026 or later
  • Cannot have completed the URSP more than two times
  • No citizenship requirement – undocumented and international students are eligible to apply
  • Visiting students are not eligible for this program
  • Note: Students who will 1) be employed by their research lab/group or 2) be receiving scholarship support for their research during the 2025-2026 academic year are not eligible for this program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Maintain full-time student status during the 2025-2026 academic year (enrolled in 12 units minimum each quarter)
  • Conduct your proposed research project during fall, winter, and spring quarters with your UCLA Faculty Research Mentor
  • Enroll in an SRP-99 or departmental 196, 198, or 199 research course with your UCLA Faculty Research Mentor for at least two quarters during the 2025-2026 academic year
  • Complete an honors thesis, departmental thesis, or a comprehensive research paper by the end of Spring 2026
  • Present your research at the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase in May 2026
  • Submit a thank you letter to the donor(s) who supported your scholarship
  • Complete the exit survey in Spring 2026

SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING

Juniors qualify for academic scholarships up to $4,500. Seniors qualify for academic scholarships up to $6,000. Scholarships are disbursed through the UCLA Financial Aid Office in three equal payments, once at the beginning of each quarter. Scholarship payments are applied to BruinBill.

*Important Financial Aid Implications: If you are receiving financial aid, your package may be adjusted so you do not exceed your financial need or cost of attendance. Check with the Financial Aid Office to see if you can accept this scholarship. Applicants do not need to qualify for or be receiving financial aid to be eligible for the URSP scholarship.

APPLICATION

  • The application for 2025-2026 will be open May 12, 2025 – June 16, 2025.
  • The application can be accessed as a Survey on MyUCLA under the “Campus Life” tab. Visit the Application page for more information.
  • View more information about the application here: https://sciences.ugresearch.ucla.edu/programs-and-scholarships/ursp/application/

APPLICATION EVENTS

URSP Information Session

Thursday, May 15 @12 pm via Zoom (Register here)

URC-Sciences Presents Writing a Research Proposal

Thursday, May 22 @3 pm via Zoom (Register here)

URSP Office Hours

Monday, June 2 @12 pm via Zoom (Join here)

CONTACT

Abby Warner
Program Representative

awarner@college.ucla.edu